牧者心聲  Pastor's Message

09/20/2009


      Patriotism


      Two friends from out of town and I hit up UC Berkeley this week. We walked on Channing, Telegraph, and Center, to name a few streets. And I must admit that Berkeley is a beautiful campus. The melding of nature with buildings and statues of football coaches and players was done well. There was even a Cal bear statue! Plus, I noticed that where ever we went, people had school paraphernalia on. Shirts, sweaters, hats, even credit cards with the “Cal” logo. School pride was everywhere. Perhaps things were like this at my old alma mater, but since it was my own school’s colors and logos they were not as obvious to me.


      This pride also reminds me of last Friday’s importance to our country. When OUR country was attacked for what it represents. Correction: actually our country stands for many different values and ideals: capitalism, opportunity, military superiority, and the many freedoms that we enjoy, just to name a few. For the average “redblooded- American” we take pride in our country. Take a baseball game. While there, when we hear the national anthem, we stop what we’re doing and stand. We take off our hats, hold our hands to our hearts, and sing the lyrics on the jumbo-tron that represent our country. Even the concessions stands stop sales during these few brief moments.


      True, there are times when America can be seen, and sometimes is, the aggressor and transgressor. Even with these mistakes, we often understand that in general, the government is trying to do what is best for the country, even though people within the US government may make mistakes along the way. If it is for the good ol’ red-white-and-blue, we can forgive and continue to take pride in what our wonderful country has to offer and provide for us.


      Our country was attacked for multiple reasons, some that are quite valid and some that are completely unfounded. But I noticed that in terms of our faith, things may be a little different. Often our gut feeling as Christians is to be shameful of what our faith represents. But Christ never transgressed, nor made any mistakes. It was all people. For that reason, are we still ashamed of what our faith stands for? Do we stand next to the stars and stripes with pride, while sometimes flinching to uphold the cross? Or do we stand defiantly of our Christian faith?


      As we continue to consider the effects of the terrorist attacks on the twin tower 8 years ago, do not forget that our country may mistreat us in the future, but Christ our Lord and Savior never has, and never will. What do you put on to show your pride—to show the world that you are a patriot of Jesus?


      Brother Ben